(U.S. SENATE) – U.S. Senator Jon Tester, chairman of the Congressional Sportsmen’s caucus, is reminding Montanans that today is the new deadline for hunters seeking mule deer buck and bull elk permits this year.

Last year, the Montana Fish and Wildlife and Parks Commission moved up the deer and elk permit deadline by three months–to March 15. The new deadline applies only to hunters looking to harvest mule deer bucks and bull elk in certain regions of Montana. The permit deadline does not apply to general deer and elk licenses for the fall hunting season.

All applications must be postmarked with today’s date. Drawings results will be available by the end of April.

“Most hunters are well aware of the various deadlines out there as they make plans for the year,” Tester said. “But I want to make sure all Montanans know about this new change. The new deadline allows hunters a few extra months to scout, talk to landowners and get in shape for one of our state’s most important traditions.”